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January 2024 VOL. 19 • ISSUE 3
CONTENTS DENNIS CARLTON, JR. RE-ELECTED PRESIDENT OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FARM BUREAU
40 PAGE 10 Endangered Species PAGE 14 Farm Loans
PAGE 28 H-2A Program
PAGE 48 Urban Agriculture
PAGE 30 News Briefs
PAGE 50
PAGE 32 Nourish The Service
PAGE 16 Durant FFA
Eliminate Multiple Taxation PAGE 52
Mini Friends Farm PAGE 35
Golden Berries
PAGE 18 Fishing
PAGE 44
PAGE 22 Rocking Chair Chatter
John Dicks
PAGE 24 Gary Wishnatzki
PAGE 56 From The Science Field
PAGE 46 Activity
PAGE 58 Sleepy Dragon Greens
PAGE 47 A Closer look
PAGE 60
Recipes
Hey Readers!
Hidden somewhere in the magazine is a No Farmers, No Food logo. Hunt for the logo and once you find the hidden logo you will be eligible for a drawing to win a FREE No Farmers No Food Sticker. Send us your business card or an index card with your name and telephone number, the number of the page which you found the logo and where on the page you located the logo to the address below
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InTheField® Magazine P.O. Box 5377 • Plant City, Fl. 33566-0042 *Winners will be notified by phone. You Too Can Be A Winner!
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Hillsborough County Farm Bureau 305 S. Wheeler St. Plant City, FL. Office Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Insurance Services: 813-685-5673 Member Services: 813-685-9121
OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Dennis Carlton, Jr.....................President Casey Runkles................Vice President Clay Joyner..............Treasurer Madison Astin Salter..................Secretary DIRECTORS FOR 2021 - 2022 Dennis Carlton Jr, Casey Runkles, Madison A. Salter, Clay Joyner, Carl Bauman, Brittany Coleman, Travis Council, Jake Cremer, Tiffany Dale, Drew Futch, Brian Shoop and Michelle Williamson
Kaylee Poppell, Executive Director 813-685-9121 Farm Bureau Insurance Special Agents
Valrico Office 813-685-5673
100 S. Mulrennan Rd., Valrico, FL. 33594 Tommy Hale, CLU, ChFC, CASL, CPCU Agency Mgr. Julie Carlson, Jacob Jones
Plant City Office 813.752.5577
305 S. Wheeler St., Plant City, FL 33563 Jeff Summer
Apollo Beach Office 813.933.5440
6510 N. US Hwy 41, Apollo Beach, FL.33572 Greg Harrell, Erin Campbell
AGENCY MANAGER Thomas O. Hale WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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STAFF
Letter from the Editor
Publisher/Photography Karen Berry Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher Sarah Holt Editor Patsy Berry Sales Karen Berry Sarah Holt De De Floyd Melissa Nichols Creative Director/Illustrator Juan Alvarez
Guess what time it is!!! It’s fair season! The season kicks off for Polk County Youth with the Polk County Youth Fair, held January 20 – 27 in Bartow. Right on its heels is the Florida State Fair, which kicks off on February 8 and runs through February 19 in Tampa. February 29 is the first day of the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City. It runs through March 10. Polk County youth are up once again at the Central Florida Youth in Agriculture show held March 20 – 23. I encourage you to attend at least one, if not all these shows. It’s amazing the work the youth put into their various projects and they certainly enjoy the support. Maybe give an encouraging word to the show parents. It’s a tough span of time for many of them! I hope your 2024 is going well so far. We are barely into it and the weather is keeping us on our toes. Once again, I skipped the resolutionmaking. I’ve decided if I want to do or change something, there is no need to wait for a special day, just do it.
Photography Karen Berry Staff Writers Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Sean Green
Contributing Writers Wade Osborne John Dicks Tiffany Dale Social Media Victoria Saunders
Let’s make 2024 a great year! In The Field Magazine is published monthly and is available through local Hillsborough County businesses, restaurants, and many local venues. It is also distributed by U.S. mail to a target market, which includes all of the Greenbelt Property owners, members of the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and Strawberry Grower’s Association.
Until Next Month
Sarah Holt
Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 33563-0042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com or call 813-759-6909 Advertisers warrant & represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. In The Field Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Berry Publications, Inc. Any use or duplication of material used in In the Field magazine is prohibited without written consent from Berry Publications, Inc.
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The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. - Numbers 6:25
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Back to Work
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
-Dennis Carlton Jr. - President
Greetings, I trust all of you and your families had a great holiday season. As we begin 2024, it’s time for us to get back to work as the “Voice of Agriculture.” A number of us have just visited Tallahassee to meet with several of our state legislators. That is an important annual initiative providing us with the opportunity to express our appreciation for the support our lawmakers give us and to remind them of the challenges before us and the help they can provide as we strive to address each of them. This past holiday season was an excellent opportunity to showcase the ties between our industry and consumers here in the Sunshine State and beyond. Those holiday meals and celebrations we all enjoyed would not be possible without the continuing efforts of our farmers and ranchers. That is also true throughout the year. But there’s more to the benefits of agriculture and Florida Farm Bureau will share those benefits throughout this year under the theme “Ties to Ag.” Those contributions extend far beyond the grocery store and the various foods we eat and beverages we drink each day. The homes we live in, the furniture and linens we use, and the clothing we wear are products from farms and forests. Other common household items such as soap, toothpaste, cosmetics, and medicines all contain materials derived from agricultural products. Data gathered by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences shows agriculture and closely related enterprises create an annual economic impact here in Florida of more than $159 billion
and support over 2.5 million jobs in our state. Those are impressive findings, but there’s more and I will be sharing those added benefits throughout the year. Overall, our quality of life depends on agriculture today and into the future. In that regard, I would like to remind families with students in college that Florida Farm Bureau has a wide range of intern tracks available for their participation. Those paying positions provide tomorrow’s agricultural leaders with real-life experiences that will help them grow and help sustain our industry. More information on that opportunity is available by visiting: https://floridafarmbureau.org/Florida-Farm-BureauInternship-Program/. Applications for that program close February 11. If you are not a Farm Bureau member, please consider joining the 132,000 member families that are so that you can help us with our role as the “Voice of Agriculture” whether it is locally, statewide, or nationally. And, if you are a member, please consider volunteering at whatever level is practical for you. We need your help and would be pleased to have you actively involved. Please visit www.hcfarmbureau.org for more information about member benefits and opportunities for engagement. Thank you for your continued support of our industry. Dennis Carlton, Jr.
Dennis Carlton Jr. Dennis Carlton Jr. - President
305 SOUTH WHEELER STREET • PLANT CITY, FL 33566 • 813-685-9121 Board of Directors
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Dennis Carlton Jr, Casey Runkles, Madison A. Salter, Clay Joyner, Carl Bauman, Brittany Coleman, Travis Council, Jake Cremer, Tiffany Dale, Drew Futch, Brian Shoop and Michelle Williamson
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E n d a n g e r e d S p e c i es
AMERICAN CHAFFSEED
The American chaffseed, or Schwalbea Americana as it’s known by its scientific name, is a federally endangered hemiparasitic herb that requires a high fire-return interval, or fire surrogate to persist across the landscape. Due to extirpation of the species from 10 states, or more than half of its range, and a decline in known occurrences, American chaffseed was listed as an endangered species on September 29, 1992. Historically, this species occurred along the coast from Massachusetts to Louisiana and inland states Kentucky and Tennessee. Currently, this species occurs in seven states along the coast: New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and Louisiana. American chaffseed has continued to decline since it was listed due to the persistent threat of fire suppression that results in vegetative succession or woody encroachment. American chaffseed occurs in fire-maintained longleaf pine flatwoods and savannas. Often it is found in ecotonal areas between peaty wetlands and xeric sandy soil. Its habitat is an open grass-sedge system in moist acidic sandy loams or sandy peat loams. Chaffseed is dependent on factors like fire, mowing, or fluctuating water tables to maintain the open to partly open conditions that it requires. Traditionally, the species probably existed on savannas and pinelands throughout the coastal plain and on sandstone knobs and plains inland where frequent, naturally occurring fires maintained these sub-climax communities. Under these conditions, herbaceous plants like American chaffseed were favored over trees and shrubs.
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Most of the surviving populations, and all of the most vigorous populations, are in areas that are still subject to frequent fire. These fire-maintained habitats include plantations where prescribed fire is part of a management regime for quail and other game species, army base impact zones that burn regularly because of artillery shelling, and forest management areas that are burned to maintain habitat for wildlife like the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. This species also finds suitable habitats on various private lands that are burned to maintain open fields. Fire may be important to the species in ways that are not yet understood, such as for germination of seed or in the formation of the connection to the host plant. American chaffseed is an erect perennial herb with stems
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By Libby Hopkins
that branch only at the base. The leaves are alternate, estipulate, sessile and ascend in an overlapping spiral. The leaves, stems and flowers are villous-puberulent, meaning hairy throughout. The five-lobed flowers are reddish-purple and mature into dehiscent capsules that contain numerous linear, yellowish-tan seeds. The showy flowers have a high degree of bilateral symmetry, elaborated for pollination by bees. Flowering occurs from April to June in the southern part of its range, and from June to mid-July in the northern part of its range. Fruits start to mature in early summer in the south and October in the north. In the field, germination and seedling recruitment appear dependent upon microsite soil disturbances such as earthworm castings, pocket gopher activity, as well as old fire plow lines, and old logging roads. Other minor disturbances, like prescribed fire, that expose bare soil, aid in germination and seedling recruitment. American chaffseed does not reproduce asexually via vegetative storage organs, like rhizomes, bulbs, and corms, therefore recruitment is solely dependent upon sexual reproduction. In controlled conditions, germination is high, with roughly 90 percent of all seeds sown immediately after collection, or within 24 hours, and one to two years after collection. Due to American chaffseed’s hemiparasitic nature, seedlings have to be given additional nutrients or grown with host species, like narrowleaf silkgrass, to survive off-site conservation safeguarding efforts. Because American chaffseed does not reproduce asexually and seeds do not survive long in the soil seedbank, soil disturbance via prescribed fire or other disturbances that expose bare soil is critical to the recruitment and survival of this species. American chaffseed seed will persist in the soil and remain viable for at least one year. American chaffseed does not appear capable of long-term dormancy within the soil. The morphology of American chaffseed seed, somewhat flattened and compressed and enclosed in a loose-fitting sac-like structure, suggests wind dispersal. However, no information is available to support this hypothesis. Information is lacking on both the mechanism and distance of seed dispersal. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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USDA NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FARM LOANS ONLINE
By Jim Frankowiak The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched an online application for Direct Loan customers. More than 26,000 customers who submit a Direct Loan application each year can now use an online, interactive, guided application that is paperless and provides helpful features including an electronic signature option, the ability to attach supporting documents such as tax returns, complete a balance sheet and build a farm operating plan. This tool is part of a broader effort by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to streamline its processes, improve customer service, and expand credit access.
USDA customer account and a USDA Level 2 eAuthentication (“eAuth”) account or a Login.gov account. For the initial stage, the online application tool is only available for producers who will be or are currently, operating their farm as an individual. FSA is expanding the tools availability to married couples applying jointly and other legal entities in 2024.
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FARM LOAN IMPROVEMENT EFFORTS FSA has a significant initiative underway to streamline and automate Farm Loan Program customer-facing business processes. For the over 26,000 producers who submit a Direct The online farm loan application replicates the support an Loan application to FSA annually and its 85,000 Direct Loan applicant would receive when completing a loan application borrowers, FSA has made improvements this year, including: in person with an FSA Farm Loan Officer while continuing to provide customers with one-on-one assistance as needed. • A simplified direct loan paper application, reduced from 29 This tool and other process improvements allow farmers and pages to 13 pages. ranchers to submit complete loan applications and reduce the • The Loan Assistance Tool on farmers.gov that provides cusnumber of incomplete and withdrawn applications. tomers with an interactive online, step-by-step guide to idenThrough a personalized dashboard, borrowers can track the tifying the Direct Loan products that may be a fit for their busiprogress of their loan application. It can be accessed on farm- ness needs and to understanding the application process. ers.gov or by completing FSA’s Loan Assistance Tool. To use the online loan application tool, producers must establish a
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DURANT AND J.F. ST. MARTIN FFA COMPETE IN STATE CITRUS CONTEST
Durant and J.F. St. Martin FFA (9th-grade chapter) competed in the FFA State Citrus contest on December 7 in Haines City. There were 23 teams competing and J.F. St. Martin won the state contest and Durant was a close second. This contest involves students identifying citrus varieties, rootstocks, insects, weeds, diseases, and disorders that affect citrus production. J F St. Martin Team Members
Durant Team Members Harlee Miller Lyla Bent Jessie Parker Autumn Rutheford Chesnee Wink
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Christeen Joseph - high individual Kalie Hinson Karisa Sheldon Lena Bent Emma Harris
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DURANT FFA BIKE DROP
Durant FFA held its 26th annual "Bike Drop," on December 19. This is a community service activity that the FFA chapter participates in where FFA members, parents, and teachers collect new bicycles and present them to students at local elementary schools. Durant partnered with their FFA Alumni along with the Hillsborough County
neat to see how this event has grown over the years and touched so many young lives," Sturgis said. The schools that got deliveries were Lithia Springs, Pinecrest, J. S. Robinson, Walden Lake, Cork, Trapnell, Nelson, Valrico, Springhead, and Yates
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Cattleman's Association to take the effort to a new level. "In the very beginning when we first started, we were able to fit all the bikes in the back of Mr. Cribbs' truck," said Thomas Sturgis, Durant Agriculture Teacher. "Last year we gave out 66 bicycles and this year we were able to deliver 161 bicycles to 15 different elementary schools. It's really
Shrimp, the “Sara Lee” of bait! Capt. Wade Osborne
The reason I say this is because, during the winter months there’s nothing that doesn’t like a shrimp in Tampa Bay. With the water temperature in the bay right now in the upper 50s, the fish are lethargic. Their slow response to attacking bait is the ideal time to use live shrimp. Shrimp are slow-moving, unlike white bait, and take more effort to eat. If you’re like me and usually spend an hour or more each morning catching your own bait, do yourself a favor and don’t. For the most part, this time of year it’s a waste of time. Save the extra effort for next month when the water warms up. On the way to the boat ramp just stop at a bait shop and buy some shrimp. How much you need depends on the number of anglers and the amount of time you’ll be actually fishing. I figure in a dozen a person, times the number of hours fishing. Typically, on a four-hour charter with two people, I’ll buy 10 dozen. That way I won’t run out. You never want to be on a really good bite and run out of shrimp.
Sheepshead has been one of my targeted species of late and that will only increase as their spawning season begins this month and runs through April. Sheepshead love shrimp, even pieces of shrimp. Let’s say you get a bite and reel in to check if you still have a bait and it’s only half a shrimp. Toss it back out there and you very well may catch that fish on the next bite. Sheepshead can be caught on mangrove crabs, fiddler crabs, and pieces of barnacles. Redfish have also been plentiful throughout Tampa Bay. Even though I’m not catching them on every outing, on the days that I do, there have been numerous hookups. These aren’t your typical slot-size redfish that you catch other times of the year, they’re rat reds. Usually only 12-17 inches, but they’re still fun to catch.
At the end of the day don’t do what I see many people doing, throwing out their leftover shrimp. To quote Sheriff Grady Judd, “What are you Thinking?” Don’t toss it, keep it. If you’re going back out the next day, keep them alive with an aerator. If you won’t be going fishing again for a while, bag them and stick them in the freezer. Frozen shrimp catch and attract fish. I freeze shrimp all of the time and take it with me the next time I hit the water. If it’s whole thawed-out shrimp, I sometimes will put one on the hook just to see if the fish notices a difference. I don’t think they do! Now that you know I’m using shrimp for bait, here’s what I’m catching.
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26-Year Veteran Fishing Guide, Captain Wade Osborne. Capt. Woody Gore (www.captainwoodygore.com)
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The key to finding a school of rats is to fish along mangrove shorelines next to some oysters. They like to hang out just under the branches, so bait placement is critical. A low sidearm cast is preferred and helps to keep you out of the trees. Seatrout and sand trout are two fish that are very cold water tolerant and fairly easy to catch right now. Both species of trout spend their winters in deeper water than other times of the year, with sand trout being in the deepest. Seatrout tend to be in water in the three-to-ten-foot range, while sand trout can be found in water as deep as 20 to 40 feet. They also school up in large numbers, so catch one and you’ll reel in more. If you’re wondering about the snook bite, I’m catching a few, I’m just not targeting them much right now. They’re very WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
finicky when the water temperature is in the 50’s and there are just too many other species eager to bite. Of course, this time of year you’re always going to catch ladyfish and jack crevalle, it’s a given. So, if you should encounter a school of either, just enjoy the battle. They’re fun to catch, especially when you have kids on board. Most kids don’t care what they catch as long as they’re catching fish. As for tackle, I like to downsize my leader material and hook size in the winter due to water clarity. I go with a 25-pound fluorocarbon leader and a size one hook. Most of the time I’m freelining my bait. If I’m fishing in deep water, I add just enough weight to get the bait to the bottom. As for that frozen shrimp, I like to use it for chum. Just like broadcasting live white bait around your boat attracts fish,
so does frozen shrimp. So, when I Power Pole down on a fishing spot looking for sheepshead, redfish, and seatrout, I blanket the area with pieces of frozen shrimp. Try it, you’ll be amazed at how many fish the smell of shrimp in the water attracts. What if you have guests in town and they don’t like to fish? Well, this is a great time of year to view manatees, dolphins, sea birds, and other wildlife at one of the two power plant outflows located on either side of the bay. Just remember both have slow speed and no entry zones. Cruising Tampa Bay provides a great opportunity to enjoy nature and capture some impressive photographs. Don’t forget to pack a real camera and not just rely on your mobile phone. You’ll be glad you did! Afishionado, “Always an Adventure.”
Tampa fishing guide, Wade Osborne of “Afishionado Guide Services” has been plying the waters of Tampa Bay as a professional full-time captain since 1997. Osborne has been featured on numerous TV shows and has written for multiple publications. Osborne offers inshore fishing on light tackle spin, fly or plug. He also offers eco tours with an emphasis on photography. For more info visit Afishionado.com or find Afishionado Guide Services on Facebook and Instagram.
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In the 1890s Henry B. Plant originally held what was to become the Florida State Fair to promote his Tampa Bay Hotel. In 1904, Tampa Bay Hotel manager T.J. Laud-Brown revived the fair concept when he, city founders, and railroad officials put on what is considered the first-ever Florida State Fair. The event—called the South Florida Fair—was held on 27 acres next to the Tampa Bay Hotel, at a site that is now home to the University of Tampa. The event included five races for betting and a building housing agricultural exhibits. In 1915 the Florida State Mid-Winter Festival officially became known as The Florida State Fair. In 1975, Florida State Legislature created the Florida State Fair Authority and designated the Tampa event as the official Florida State Fair. In 1977, the fair was held at its current location at Interstate 4 and U.S Highway 301 in eastern Hillsborough County for the first time.
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Editor’s Note: This Rocking Chair Chatter was originally printed in the January 2019 issue
When you take your marriage vows it is supposed to be until “Death Do Us Part,” however many marriages end up in divorce. There’s nothing like divorce to bring out the worst in people. Attorneys who specialize in family law share the craziest antics they’ve had the pleasure of witnessing over the years. (Out of respect for their clients, they’ve requested to remain anonymous.)
One Attorney in Texas said, “I find it funny when a client is ordered to provide a hair follicle drug test, then shows up for the test having shaved their head, not realizing hair follicle tests can be achieved with leg hair, hair from the armpit or pubic hair; it’s even better when the client realizes that any hair can be used, so waxes their whole body and calls it a ‘lifestyle choice.’”
“One of my clients had a chemical peel before her deposition so she could look good in front of her husband. Instead, her skin turned bright red and began falling off of her face during the meeting!”
The story is told, “One night my client was leaning on the kitchen counter, shooting the breeze with his wife and she said to him, ‘Do you want chicken or fish tonight for dinner? I need to know what to take out of the freezer. Oh, and by the way, I’m having an affair with the next door neighbor so I want a divorce.’ Her nonchalance really threw him into a tailspin; if she could break that kind of news to him as easily as ‘chicken or fish,’ what else did she have up her sleeve? He became convinced she was trying to kill him to expedite her love plans with the neighbor and that she’d accomplish this by poisoning his food. He installed a deadbolt on his bedroom, bought himself a mini-fridge and a hotplate and he didn’t leave his room until the mandatory waiting period to finalize the divorce expired.”
After a lengthy and harshly contested divorce case, the wife looked out her window on the day after the trial ended and saw a moving van at the house next door. It was her ex moving in. He had purchased their neighbor’s house secretly during the trial.
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One attorney said, “The only thing my client wanted from the house were her son’s bar mitzvah pictures. We agreed that her husband would keep the album and she would get all the prints. When the prints were delivered to her, she realized that her image had been cut out of all the photos. When she confronted her ex about this he claimed, ‘Oops, your sister must have done it to make me look bad.’”
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more money than the wife would have received if she had kept the home and sold it herself. When the couple appeared in court to finalize the divorce, the wife, who had previously agreed to everything, refused to sign the papers unless the husband gave her every last landscaping rock surrounding the house. She didn’t want to be paid for the value of the rocks. She wanted the husband to agree to rip out those exact rocks from the front yard and give them back to her because she claimed they were a gift from her father. At the time, she lived in an apartment.” A Florida attorney said “My client hated his wife so much that the mere idea of her having his toolbox was special to him. He asked for temporary use and possession in a $3,000 hearing (actual cost of attorney’s fees) for tools that were worth $500. By the time we drafted the motion for his use and possession of tools, I advised him that I could have bought him a top-ofthe-line new set at my hourly rate — and without looking so petty in front of the judge. Opposing counsel was in the same boat, arguing over the same, silly tools. The judge called us into her office mid-hearing, and literally laughed out loud for a solid minute before she told us to get out of her courtroom and make our clients behave.” During a very heated divorce, it came as somewhat of a surprise when the wife, who had been fighting for the contents of the house, quickly agreed to give up the living room furniture set to her husband, who had moved to a new place. When the movers delivered the furniture, the husband started wheezing and sneezing within minutes. He was allergic to cats, something his former wife knew. Turns out that right after he moved out, she bought three longhaired Persian kitties. Their favorite place to sleep and shed? You guessed it...all over the velvety, soft living room furniture. “I represented a woman in a divorce. When I told her that she would receive over $300,000 per month in support she said to me, ‘How am I going to live on that?’ I guess the husband couldn’t live with that, either; he died of a heart attack before the divorce was finalized.” A dietitian was addressing a large audience in Chicago: “The material we put into our stomachs is enough to have killed most of us sitting here, years ago. Red meat is awful. Soft drinks erode your stomach lining. Chinese food is loaded with MSG. Vegetables can be disastrous to some and none of us realize the longterm harm caused by the germs in our drinking water. But there is one thing that is the most dangerous of all and we all have eaten or will eat it. Can anyone here tell me what food it is that causes the most grief and suffering for years after eating it?” A 75-year-old man in the front row stood up and said, “Wedding cake.” INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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GARY WISHNATZKI HONORED WITH FLORIDA STRAWBERRY GROWERS ASSOCIATION AWARD
Group photo left to right: Jake Rayburn, Candace Harrell, Therese Wishnatzki, Gary Wishnatzki, Nick Wishnatzki, Kenneth Parker
FSGA RECOGNIZES THE WISH FARMS OWNER WITH ITS HALL OF FAME AWARD Plant City-based Wish Farms, is proud to announce that owner Gary Wishnatzki was awarded the Florida Strawberry Growers Association’s most prestigious honor, induction into the FSGA Hall of Fame. The yearly award is given to an individual or individuals who exhibit(s) a lifetime of devoted support to Florida strawberries. “Gary has been a lifelong supporter of the Florida strawberry industry and an advocate pushing for progress in technology, innovation, and more sustainable practices,” said FSGA Executive Director, Kenneth Parker. “From push carts to robots, Gary has kept the culture of Wish Farms thriving by always having the company’s eye on the future. As one of the leading innovators and advocates for the industry, there is no question about his resume as a new inductee to the Hall of Fame.”
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He got his start in the family produce business nearly 50 years ago when it was known as Wishnatzki & Nathel. Since that time, he has been a strong voice for agriculture while pushing for innovation and embracing creative marketing efforts. Under his leadership, Wish
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Farms became a year-round supplier of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and pineberries. With growing operations and partnerships across the United States, Canada, and South America, the company has a 52-week supply of all five major berries, and ships fresh berries to major retail chains throughout the United States and Canada. Gary also co-founded Harvest CROO Robotics, which is on a mission to solve farm labor challenges through automation. With more than 70% of the U.S. strawberry industry invested, Harvest CROO plans to build a fleet of robotic strawberry harvesters and reach commercialization in 2024. “One thing Dad has always said to me is ‘if you’re not growing, you’re dying.’ He totally lives up to that mantra. He comes to work every day with a positive attitude, a fire to learn something new, and a desire to strive for greatness. Our family is so proud of this achievement and the legacy he has built and continues to build on,” said Public Relations Manager Nick Wishnatzki. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
About Wish Farms: Feel Good. Eat Berries. Make A Difference. It isn’t just a catchy phrase, giving back is engrained in the company culture. Through the Wish Farms Family Foundation, a portion of profits are dedicated to their three pillars of giving: Food Insecurity, Youth Education and Community. With a defined mission, they hope to make the world a better place. Founded in 1922, Wish Farms is a fourth-generation, family operated company. As a year-round supplier of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and now Pink-A-Boo® Pineberries, it grows both conventional and organic varieties. Nationally recognized for innovation, Wish Farms utilizes patented traceability technology to ensure quality and safety by tying consumer feedback to specific information from each day’s harvest. For more information, please visit www.wishfarms.com.
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ABOUT THE SPECIALTY CROP H-2A AG WORKFORCE PROGRAM A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD By Jim Frankowiak
If you live in eastern Hillsborough County, there’s little doubt that you have seen groups of 30 or so younger men working the strawberry fields, often wearing the same color t-shirts. You may have also seen them riding in what at one time were “school buses” or buying groceries as a group.
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They are participants in the H-2A temporary agricultural workers program, often called the H-2A visa program, which helps American farmers fill employment gaps by hiring workers from other countries through a legal guest worker system established by the federal government. These workers are particularly critical to specialty crop growers throughout the United States. Growers in Florida are the highest users of the program. Without H-2A workers, Florida growers would be hard-pressed to grow their crops, if at all.
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While this program has become critical to growers, it has its challenges and those challenges are increasing as time passes. In order for an employer/grower to qualify for this program, they must petition the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) by showing a temporary or seasonal job offer to foreign workers is needed since U.S. domestic workers are not available to perform seasonal and time-sensitive agricultural operations. The grower/employer must also demonstrate that hiring guest workers will not lower the prevailing wage rates and working conditions of U.S. domestic workers. Lastly, the grower/employer must file a petition with the DOL to obtain labor certification. The next step requires, upon approval of labor certification, a petitioner to file Form I-129 with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS). The third step is for potenWWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
tial H-2A workers residing outside of the U.S. to obtain an H-2A visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad to permit entry into the U.S. Once these steps have been taken, a link is created between the workers and their employers/growers. The employer/grower must then provide transportation for the workers from their home country to the job site, an obligation at the end of the contract period, as well. The majority of H-2A workers employed in Florida come from Mexico and travel by vehicle to and from their home country where recruitment is typically undertaken by a licensed contractor. “The actual application process is about 90 days,” said Keri Donley Martin with Dunson Harvesting, Inc., based in Winter Haven, FL. The company was founded in 1963 as a service company for citrus groves in central Florida. The company’s management has consisted of three generations of the family. It has evolved over the years and provides many services to the agricultural industry in Florida. In addition to citrus, Dunson also provides harvesting services for Florida growers of strawberries, blueberries, cantaloupes, peppers, and peanuts. Dunson Harvesting began using the H-2A guest worker program in 2008 in order to provide a legal and consistent workforce for its customers. “We pride ourselves in having the highest standards of compliance with all regulations required to provide this service,” noted Donley Martin. “This is achieved through the efforts of our dedicated staff, our experience with all facets of the H-2A Program, our complete control of the program, and our high workforce retention rate.” While the actual application process takes about 90 days, “housing for the workers can take much longer,” she said. H-2A worker housing must meet highly detailed DOL, Florida Department of Health (FDOH). County development and local fire standards that cover square footage and storage facilities; sufficient and sanitary cooking and kitchen facilities; heating, cooking, water, and water heating equipment; adequate and sanitary toilet, laundry, hand washing, and bathing facilities; sufficient lighting and refuse disposal. The employer is responsible for compliance with all standards and the housing, whether rental or public. The H-2A worker housing is also subject to random inspections by various local, state, and federal regulatory agencies. Additionally, H-2A employers must provide transportation from worker housing to the job site, as well as to the grocery store or other needed locations such as laundry facilities, if not available at the housing site. Again, vehicles providing transportation must meet specified criteria, including insurance. Under the H-2A Program, employers must guarantee workers employment hours equal to at least 75 percent of the workdays in the contract period and must pay workers not offered sufficient hours. The average stay for H-2A workers in Florida is five months, according to Donley Martin. The Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for 2024 in Florida, which was effective the first of January this year, is $14.77/hour. The AEWR is a regional average wage for field and livestock workers. There are 15 AEWR’s in the U.S. that apply to the H-2A Program and are adjusted on an annual basis. Florida workers covered by the AEWR saw an hourly increase of $0.44/hour more than the last year. “That hike,” according to strawberry grower Dennis Carlton, Jr., “translates to about $1,200 an acre.” In addition to hourly costs, the H-2A program includes a $100 application fee plus $10/worker to a maximum of $1,000; a $460 filing fee; a $160/worker consulate fee; an Agent Fee of $100/worker for processing workers across the border; transportation fees ranging from $400 - $650/worker for travel to and from their home country and housing costs ranging from $9,000 $13,000/worker. Those are significant amounts and they continue to rise along with increased foreign competition that has already changed Plant City’s longtime label as the “Winter Strawberry Capital of the World” to the “Winter Strawberry Capital of the U.S.” – a step down that many, if not all, deeply frown upon. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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NEWS BRIEFS
Compiled by Jim Frankowiak
Farmers can Apply for Florida TEAM Card Online Farmers can now apply for the Florida Farm Tax Exempt Agricultural Materials (TEAM) Card to use for sales-tax-exempt purchases of agricultural materials. The Florida Department of Revenue is accepting applications for the card online. Farmers who wish to apply for or learn more about the Florida Farm TEAM Card may visit fdacs.gov/FarmTEAM. Free Extension Webinar Series: Understanding and Taking Control of Your Federal Income Taxes Extension is offering a series of four, free webinars to help learn about free tax preparation tools, tax rates, deductions, credits, and much more! All are 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST. The seminar dates and subjects are: Jan 23, Webinar: Free Income Tax Software & Filing - Tax filers with adjusted gross income up to $79,000 can access free online tax filing software for their tax returns. (AGI does not include tax-deferred income.) The webinar will demonstrate how the software works and answer common tax filing questions. Registration: https://ufl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwtcuqprzgrHNX5daV52vpmgCOSu7-qHPwq Feb 1, Webinar: Federal Income Tax Updates - will discuss tax policy changes for this tax filing season. (These are tax laws that apply to the 2023 return that is due April 15, 2023.) Registration: https://ufl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEscuihrj4pG9cg5ue1Tvk5blmRC_T4PaT6 February 8, Webinar: Federal Income Tax Deductions and Credits - will discuss federal income tax deductions and credits. Registration: https://ufl.zoom.us/meeting/register/ tJ0rf-mhqzIoEtc9vJmkiZXwVFy8xUrS-LQ2 February 15, Webinar: What’s Your Tax Rate? - Participants will learn how to calculate their personal income tax rates. Topics include tax brackets, effective tax rates, and capital gains rates. Registration: https://ufl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAlf-uhrzkiHdV4Oqq5G38SSy7M83enCYzq Florida Farm Bureau Accepting Applications for Intern Program
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The Florida Farm Bureau (FFB) Internship Program is available to students enrolled in graduate or undergraduate education
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majoring in agriculture and related disciplines. Internships are related to FFB’s eight departments: Member Services, Ag Policy, Local Government Affairs, Legislative Affairs/National Affairs, Public Relations, Ag Education Services Technology (AEST), Florida Ag Marketing and Field Services. These internships have been created to provide students with educational opportunities to gain experience from hands-on involvement in day-to-day ag business situations. Students seeking practical experience in a dynamic professional office environment should apply to the program. Internships will be between eight and 12 weeks in length and based on a maximum of 240 hours worked throughout the internship. The rate of pay is $12 per hour. Please check each track carefully and make sure you are available to fulfill all position requirements during the stated period of the internship. Qualified applicants will be selected through an application and interview process with Farm Bureau’s division managers and the Intern Program Coordinator. For more information on Internship Track Descriptions, visit https://floridafarmbureau.org/Florida-Farm-Bureau-Internship-Program/. Internship applications will close Sunday, February 11 at 11:59 p.m. USDA Now Accepting Applications for Climate Change Fellow in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it is hiring a Climate Change Fellow in Florida to help with the record numbers of applications from farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses seeking funding for clean energy projects under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The position is part of the USDA Climate Change Fellows Program, which hires new staff with a range of skills to carry out USDA’s activities to address climate change and find solutions to agricultural challenges, enhance economic growth, and create new streams of income for farmers, ranchers, and producers. The program brings expertise and fresh perspectives to the federal workforce and expands the climate consciousness of state offices around the country. Initial appointments may be for up to two years. Additional one-year extensions may be made up to four years. To apply, visit: usajobs.gov. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Local Ag Producers Support “Nourish the Service” Event at MacDill AFB By Jim Frankowiak
A number of local agricultural producers supported the “Nourish the Service” event held at MacDill Air Force Base just a few days before Christmas. Suzy Malloy, Tampa Chapter Director of Blue Star Families, coordinated the event that supported active troops with food, toys, and other items for the holidays. Wish Farms and Grimes Produce Company both contributed strawberries, while DiMare Fresh provided cherry and grape tomatoes; Jones Farm gave green beans; and, M&B Products gave 800, half-gallons of milk. In total, area farmers gave over 1,200 pounds of fresh produce and milk to active duty troops.
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Blue Star Families was founded by military spouses in 2009 to empower their families to thrive as their mem-
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bers serve. “We’re committed to strengthening military families by connecting them with their neighbors – individuals and organizations – to create vibrant communities of mutual support,” said Malloy. “We believe we’re all stronger when we take care of one another. Our thanks to our local agricultural community for their participation in ‘Nourish the Service.’” She also noted the organization hopes to have a similar event “just prior to the Easter/Spring holidays in mid-March.” There are more than 275,000 members of the Blue Star network globally and each year they reach more than 1.5 million military family members. Since the founding of Blue Star Families in 2009 the organization has distributed more than $158,661,750 in benefits to military families globally.
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GOLDEN BERRIES By Sandy Sun, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science While most of us are familiar with blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries, a lesser-known berry is the golden berry. Golden berries are also known as Inca berry, Peruvian groundcherry, poha berry, goldenberry, husk cherry, and cape gooseberry. Interestingly though, goldenberries are not a true berry. They are related to tomatillos and are also encased in a paper husk. Golden berries originated in South America and the Andes and are produced in New Zealand, Ecuador, South Africa, and Australia, as well as in some parts of the United States. They are known to be able to grow wherever tomatoes can grow. Fresh golden berries have a sweet and mildly tart tropical flavor and are high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Golden yellow on the outside, golden berries have a bright yellow flesh that is full of small seeds, much like a tomato. The fruit can be eaten out-of-hand or mixed into a fruit salad or baked into entrees or desserts.
Nutritional Profile The golden berry is high in vitamins A, C, and E. These same vitamins also act as antioxidants in the body, protecting cells from oxidative stress. One cup of fresh golden berries (140 g) contains 74 calories, 16 g carbohydrates, 6 g fiber, 3 g protein, 1 g fat, as well as 28% of your daily requirements for niacin, 21% for vitamin C, 14% for thiamin, 8% for iron and phosphorus, 7% for vitamin A, and 5% for riboflavin.
Vitamin C Fresh golden berries are very rich in vitamin C, which has many important functions in the body. It plays a vital role in forming collagen, skin, blood vessels, and muscles. Additionally, it helps heal wounds and keeps bones and teeth healthy. The National Institutes of Health recommends regularly consuming foods high in vitamin C content since it is a water-soluble vitamin that is not stored in the body.
Antioxidant Properties Golden berries are full of health-promoting antioxidants, powerful compounds that help fight free-radical damage. Free radicals damage healthy cells, which leads to problems such as inflammation and heart disease. Vitamins C and A
How to select and store Choose ripe golden berries that have a deep yellow-orange color. They should have a slight give when squeezed. Consume them as soon as possible or refrigerate for up to several days. Immediately before use, remove the papery husk and rinse under running water.
How to enjoy Ripe golden berries are delicious eaten out-of-hand or squeezed into juice. They can also be stewed, or made into juice, puree, or fruit sorbet. The puree can be used as a delicious topping for cake, waffles, oatmeal, or yogurt. Golden berries can also be tossed into any fruit or vegetable salad. Additionally, these berries may also be made into syrup, jelly, jam, and other preserves. Here are some ways you can incorporate golden berries into your diet: • Blend with other fruits into a smoothie • Dip them in chocolate sauce for dessert • Turn them into a sauce to enjoy with meat, fish, or a vegetarian dish • Cook with sugar and pectin into a jam • Stir them into a grain salad • Use them on top of oatmeal, yogurt, and cereal Enjoy this beautiful, nutritious fruit during its peak season today. Eat fresh golden berries out of hand or combine them with other fruits for a healthy treat.
Selected References https://health.clevelandclinic.org/golden-berries http://www.hort.purdue.edu http://www.healthline.net
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are well-known antioxidants, both of which are abundant in golden berries. Additionally, this fruit contains compounds called anthocyanins, which also have antioxidant properties. Anthocyanins may help lower the risk of heart disease, enhance memory function, protect developing fetal brain tissue, and have anti-inflammatory effects.
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HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FARM BUREAU – AN UPDATE By Jim Frankowiak
serve, and to help take us into the future,” said Carlton. “The need to share our multi-faceted story continues, as well as the need to educate those who benefit from our industry in many ways, often in ways they do not recognize or appreciate. Our future depends upon our effectiveness to tell our story to all who benefit - from youngsters to senior citizens. Each of us benefits from the efforts of our industry as we enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day”. “We are also assisted by our Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF & R) and the Women’s Committee as we strive to attain our mission,” said Carlton. Current YF & R leaders are Brittany Coleman and Amber Boykin. The Women’s Committee is led by Michelle Williamson. The YF & R Program is available for any Farm Bureau Federation member between the ages of 18 – 35 and helps improve communication and leadership and leadership skills, ultimately leading to the development of future Farm Bureau leaders. The Women’s Committee program is open to any Farm Bureau woman and is involved in many projects with a focus on agriculture education and promotion.
Dennis Carlton, Jr. has just been re-elected president of Hillsborough County Farm Bureau – an office he has held since 2017. His tenure in this position has given him a broad perspective on the organization’s past and its future. Hillsborough County Farm Bureau’s 3,695 family members are part of Florida Farm Bureau’s more than 132,000 members and the American Farm Bureau Federation’s nearly 6 million members. The federation is comprised of farm and ranch families working together to build a sustainable future for safe and abundant food, fiber, and renewable fuel for the U.S. and the world. “I am most grateful for this opportunity and for the many individuals who have and continue to help us in our role as the voice of agriculture,” he said. “That includes our board members, our executive director, and our countless volunteers, as well as our industry partners. The HCFB, in addition to President Carlton, includes Vice President Casey Runkles, Treasurer Clay Joyner, and Secretary Madison Astin Salter. Additional board members include Carl Bauman, Jake Cremer, Brittany Coleman, Travis Council, Tiffany Dale, Drew Futch, Brian Shoop and Michelle Williamson.
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“Our board is dynamic,” noted Carlton. We have veteran members who bring institutional knowledge to our organization along with new members anxious to learn, to
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Hillsborough County strives to be involved in and host numerous programs throughout the year. Among the various programs we support each year is Farm Bureau Day in Tallahassee. Every Farm Bureau member is encouraged to go to our state capital and talk to our legislators about issues that are important to us. This is a day set aside for all Farm Bureau members throughout the state to come together and be the Voice of Agriculture. There is a Farm Bureau breakfast to kick off the day where we go through the focus areas and a Reception for the Legislators that evening, where we can talk with them in a more informal setting. Farm City Week is another annual event that is held each November, and it enables us to share our story about the importance of Agriculture in Hillsborough County at various locations and connect our urban community members with the agriculture industry. Florida Agriculture in the Classroom and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services have set aside one day each school year, Ag Literacy Day, for volunteers to go into schools and help teachers and students gain a better understanding of Florida agriculture. The Young Farmers and Ranchers and Women’s Committee read to several elementary school classes each year. One of our favorite events each year is The “Taste of Florida Agriculture Breakfast,” which is held the opening morning of the Florida State Fair. This event is hostWWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
ed by the Agriculture Community, the Florida State Fair, and the Chamber of Commerce and encourages city, county, and state officials to come enjoy some of Florida’s fresh food and speak with the Agriculture community. “We try to have at least one or two farm tours each year throughout Hillsborough County,” said Carlton. “These tours are structured to help educate consumers and lawmakers on the different types of Agriculture in our county and state” Florida Ag Expo is an event for Florida fruit and vegetable growers to learn the latest information on new production trends and techniques, sample new varieties, and see new field trails. It is held at the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences (IFAS) Gulf Coast Research & Education Center in Balm Florida. “Unfortunately, too many of us take agriculture for granted, and that is something we – as an industry – have to address going forward with those who have an impact on our producers. While the most obvious benefit of agriculture is the food we eat every day, there are other important contributions our farmers and ranchers make on a continuing basis.” “In addition to creating more than 170,000 jobs, our agricultural industry in Hillsborough County generates more than $11.76 billion in gross regional product and contributes an annual impact of $127 billion to Florida’s economy,” he said. “It is both critical and vital that our industry continues, and that does not only mean the demand for our products but their security, as well. We must continually monitor factors such as competition, regulation, and misinformation that may detrimentally impact our industry and its producers. As appropriate, we have to take action that will help protect our farmers and ranchers. This includes educational outreach and personal contact with lawmakers and regulators at the local, state, and federal levels, as well as consumers.” “Our Executive Director, Kaylee Poppell, leads that monitoring effort and the development and implementation of diverse initiatives. She is relatively new to the position, having replaced Judi Whitson, but she has not missed a beat and carried forward the momentum created and maintained by Judi over several decades. That hasn’t been easy since Kaylee and her husband Seth welcomed their first child, daughter Charlee Kay, just a few months ago.” “I, too, have benefitted from my participation in Farm Bureau activities,” Carlton noted. “I had to get out of my comfort zone and become involved in public speaking
and learning and understanding about government at all levels so that I could effectively communicate the importance of our industry to those who must recognize our value and act accordingly, as well as correct any misinformation. This has included personal visits with our elected officials locally, in Tallahassee, and our nation’s capitol. Throughout this timeframe, I have been fully supported by my wife, Sara Beth, and our two children, Anna Kate and DC (Dennis Carlton. III), for which I am most grateful.” “My children have shown a growing interest in agriculture and various outdoor activities,” said Carlton. “This brings fond memories of my youth and special times with my father and family, and it bodes well for the next Carlton generation. “As we look to the future, our mission continues as ‘The Voice of Agriculture’. My thanks to those who continue to support our efforts, and my encouragement to those who would like to join us as we forge ahead.” In addition to his role with Farm Bureau, Carlton is a director with Farm Credit of Central Florida and Board Member at Seffner Christian Academy for Pre-K students through high school If you would like to learn more about opportunities for engagement, please visit www.hcfarmbureau.org.
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Photo Credit: Deanna Hurley
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Packed by Coloma Frozen Foods Coloma, Michigan SPEC IAL WAS $61.95 Blackberries - 4/2.5 lb. pkgs Sliced Apples - 4/2.5 lb. pkgs Spiced Apples - 4/3 lb. pkgs Blueberries - 4/2.5 lb. pkgs Cranberries - Whole 6/20 oz. pkgs Mango - Chunks 4/2.5 lb. pkgs Mixed Fruit - 4/2.5 lb. pkgs Berry Patch Fruit Mix - 4/2.5 lb. pkgs Pineapple Chunks - 4/2.5 lb. pkgs Red Tart Cherries - 4/2.5 lb. pkgs Sliced Strawberries - 4/2.5 lb. pkgs Tropical Fruit Mix - 4/2.5 lb. pkgs Whole Strawberries - 4/2.5 lb. pkgs Rhubarb Chunks - 4/2.5 lb. pkgs Peach Slices - 4/2.5 lb. pkgs Dark Sweet Cherries - 4/2.5 lb. pkgs Sliced Apricots - 4/2.5 lb. pkgs SPEC IAL Baby Lima Beans - 4/2.5 lb. pkgs WAS $39.95 Broccoli Florets - 6/2 lb. pkgs Brussel Sprouts - 4/2.5 lb. pkgs Cauliflower - 6/2 lb. pkgs Corn - Yellow - Cut 6/2.5 lb. pkgs Super Sweet White Corn - 6/2.5 lb. pkgs Fajita Mixed Vegetables - 6/2 lb. pkgs Mixed Vegetables - 6/2.5 lb. pkgs Mushrooms - Sliced 4/2.5 lb. pkgs Pepper & Onion Variety Pack - 4/2.5 lb. pkgs Green Beans - Cut 6/2 lb. pkgs Green Garden Peas - 6/2.5 lb. pkgs Hashbrowns - Shredded 6/3 lb. pkgs Stew Vegetables - 4/2.5 lb. pkgs Stir Fry Vegetables - 6/2 lb. pkgs Sweet Potato - Diced 6/2 lb. pkgs California Veggie Mix - 6/2 lb. pkgs (cauliflower, broccoli, carrots) White Acre Peas - 9/10 oz. pkgs
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Call your local county Farm Bureau to order by
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$45.95 Baseball Sirloin (5/8 oz. Avg wt 2.5 lbs.) $63.45 New York Strip (5/14 oz. Avg wt 4.4 lbs.) $75.95 Ribeye (5/14 oz. Avg wt 4.4 lbs.) $32.95 Ground Beef (5/1 lb. cases) Packed by Simmons Catfish of Yazoo City, Mississippi
Packed by Troyer Cheese from Millersburg, Ohio
Mild Cheddar - 6/8 oz. Sharp Cheddar - 6/8 oz. Variety Pack Cheese - 6/8 oz. includes 2 of each: Sharp Cheddar, Mild Cheddar, Colby Hickory Smoked Cheddar - 6/8 oz. Colby Cheese - 6/8 oz. Pepper Jack Cheese - 6/8 oz. American Cheese Slices - 120 Slices Baby Swiss - 6/7.5 oz. Summer Sausage - 4/12 oz. Sticks
Packed by World Honey Market of Sanderson, Florida
Orange Blossom Honey 2 lb. squeeze bottle Wildflower Honey 2 lb. squeeze bottle Datil Sting Hot Honey 12 oz. squeeze bottle
Orders will be delivered between February 12 - March 1.
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A Vote For The White Pelican!
by John Dicks
The new year seems like it’s gotten off to a fast start. No doubt the ringing-in parties of New Year’s Eve brought many people lots of eager excitement and optimism for great things to come.
Having digressed, though, the time is now for this year’s consideration of the serious work at hand for lawmakers.
Nonetheless, even-numbered years in Florida have special significance for our state Senators and Representatives since the calendar forces them into session several months earlier than do the odd-numbered years. Most cynics (count me included) suggest that the rationale for rushing to work in January (as opposed to March) gives them more time to fundraise before Fall’s election.
Artificial Intelligence - Last year was one in which we were in awe at what brilliant computers could research, write, and report in seconds that otherwise might take years for us mere humans to prepare. This year will have legislators debating whether to require disclaimers on political ads that include AI-generated content depicting people taking actions that did not really occur. Really?! That’s most amazing, and rather disconcerting all at once!
Of course, whether or not that’s the case solely depends upon the ambitious nature of the particular elected officials, and their determination for donations to help ward off serious competitors.
The Budget - An eye-popping $114.4 billion budget has been proposed by the Governor. It was only a few years ago that the $100,000,000,000 threshold was crossed. Likely, though, they’ll blame it on inflation!
Regardless, it’s a bit of a shame that the legislative session starts so soon since as much as I love Tallahassee (having endured there the rigors of law school), I can vouch for January and February as being the two months you would pick to avoid the place.
Taxes - Then again, some of that expected revenue increase will be earmarked for tax relief. About $1 billion has been proposed for tax breaks including holding six of the ever-popular sales-tax “holidays,” timed to fall on dates benefitting such things as back-to-school items.
Instead, it’s springtime that you want to be there. If you’ve never been to our state capital in April, mark it down as a “must do,” and go!
Red-light cameras - Bills have been introduced that would prevent local governments from using red-light cameras. Apparently, many communities have already banned them.
Just to experience the “wow” factor of the amazing azaleas in full bloom is simply something to behold. Nature puts on a show that is simply stunning, and spreads the love all throughout the place.
Congressional term limits - A resolution has been proposed imploring Congress to call a Constitutional Convention to limit terms for members of Congress. It’s a nice idea, which has nearly zero odds of ever taking effect.
Granted it also means that there’s plenty of pollen popping around, too. April churns out several days of golden “snow” so prolific as to make every car in town lose its color, caked in a yellow mass of pollen. Sneeze you will, but that’s what antihistamines are for! Frankly, it’s a wondrous sight to see.
A new State Bird - Rounding out the items for serious consideration is a proposal to replace the mockingbird as Florida’s official State Bird. Receiving the most attention (thus far) is the American Flamingo. Personally, I think this should be up for a state-wide vote. I very much prefer the honor going to the American White Pelican!
Along with it, since it’s an even-numbered year, 2024 also means that election season is upon us, and it started precisely when the crystal ball dropped on Times Square in New York. Well, actually, for state and federal matters, it seems these days that we’re in a constant state of elections!
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John Dicks is both a Lawyer and Businessman, including an interest in farming. He and his family have owned a Blueberry Farm and have Agricultural lands which they lease for cattle operations, as John says, “to someone who knows and handles cattle much better than I do!”. John is both a Gator, having received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, and a Seminole, with his Law Degree from Florida State University. John serves as Of Counsel to Trinkle Redman, a law firm in Plant City where he also served nine years as City Commissioner, including three terms as Mayor.
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A Closer LookAmazing Activities by Sean Green Naturally
Epoxy Casting
I found a new hobby and absolutely love the possibilities. This month we will cast trinkets with epoxy. There are different types of epoxy and the stuff you get from an art store that they call “casting resin” is about three times more expensive than it should be. For this project I got some two-part epoxy from the hardware store that is marketed as a floor and table coating. It’s basically the same stuff casting resin is made of (polyurethane). For the mold, I tried different things, such as clay, cookie cutters, and shallow dishes, and discovered quickly that some materials need a good coat of release before pouring the epoxy or you will lose your mold to the epoxy sticking to it.
Materials:
Two-Part polyurethane epoxy resin Petroleum Jelly Modeling Clay (option) Cookie Cutter (option) Shallow plastic container (option)
Model Objects (to squish into the clay) Objects to embed into the epoxy (sea shells, foliage, coins, etc.)
DESIGN: For Clay molds:
Roll the clay out onto a slab twice as thick as you want your finished cast piece to be Press a model object (sea shells, Fancy Key, Bark, Rock, Pendent, etc..) into the clay to make a deep recess.
For Cookie Cutter molds:
Spread wax paper on a flat surface Coat the cookie cutter with petroleum jelly (to prevent the epoxy from sticking)
For Shallow Container molds:
Coat the container with petroleum jelly (to prevent the epoxy from sticking)
Production:
Once your set up, it’s time to mix the epoxy resin. Follow the directions from the manufacturer as a starting point. For soft flexible finished pieces, reduce the amount of hardener / for stiff (but brittle) pieces, add hardener. Pour the mixed epoxy into the mold
Add the second layer of epoxy and let it dry overnight. After the casting is dry, it can be sanded, painted, and polished or even drilled to make Christmas ornaments or pendants.
** Note ** if you are embedding objects into the epoxy, pour only half thick and let it dry enough to support a toothpick without sinking. (about 30 minutes) Carefully lay object on top of the tacky epoxy, gently poke at the objects with a toothpick to get them to stick evenly to the base layer of epoxy.
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While drying, food coloring or paint can be added and swilled into the thick epoxy for fun designs.
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A Closer Look
by Sean Green
Wild Boar (Sus scrofa)
Wild boar are found in every county in Florida. With population estimates exceeding 500,000 wild boar, Florida populations are exceeded only by Texas. Florida’s highest populations are in large forested regions north and west of Lake Okeechobee. These animals are described as Hogs, Boar, Pig, and Swine; they are essentially the same animal with certain characteristics that distinguish the name. The term Hog describes domestic pigs that weighs more than 120 lbs. Boar technically describe uncastrated male domestic pigs, however, the term is also used to describe wild pigs of any gender. Pigs, also known as swine, were among the first animals to be domesticated; earliest records date back 9,000 years in an area of ancient China that is now known as Turkey. Wild boar belongs to the family Suidae (true wild pigs), and are an old-world species that are not native to the Americas. MtDNA (Mitochondrial DNA) studies indicate that the wild boar originated on islands in Southeast Asia such as Indonesia and the Philippines, and later spread to mainland Eurasia and North Africa. Most authorities suggest the first pigs introduced to North America may have come from domestic stock (Sus scrofa domesticus) brought to North America with Ponce de Leon as early as 1521, but more likely not established until 1539 when Hernando de Soto brought pigs with him to provision the early settlements of Charlotte Harbor in Lee County. During the next few centuries, European settlers brought domestic pigs with them to Florida and ranched them on the open range for food. Native American communities soon expanded this new resource by gift or theft. The pigs roamed freely through the forests and swamps and were hunted only when needed for food. By the early 20th century, hunting large swine became a popular sport and the larger Eurisian or Russian wild boar (Sus scrofa scrofa) became a popular release on for hunting. Feral populations grew and expanded through Florida providing food and sport for many early Florida settlers. Senate Bill No. 34 in 1949 made open range ranching illegal in an effort to prevent animals from “running at large or straying upon public roads.” This was the beginning of fence laws that were more effective at keeping cattle at bay than boar. By the time the Bill was enacted, feral pig populations were already well established in Florida and continued to grow with every pig that escaped captivity and gave rise to the commercialization of hunting wild boar on private fenced land. For a time, the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission trapped and relocated feral populations and hybrids from problem areas to appropriate hunting properties as a means of control (although the state no longer does this).
In Florida, peak breeding seasons are in the spring and fall, however, wild hogs breed year-round in Florida and begin as early as one year old provided they are healthy. Sows can produce two litters of one to 13 piglets per year. The average lifespan for a wild hog is only four to five years. Although prey animals such as panthers, alligators, crocodiles and bears can take an adult wild boar, human beings are the boars primary predator. Younger piglets frequently fall prey to smaller predators such as bobcat, foxes, coyotes, and several birds of prey. Wild hogs reproduce faster than potential predators in North America can balance populations. “Natural predators” such as the Gray wolf, Leopards, Tigers, and Komodo dragon that keep wild hog populations balanced are across the ocean where this introduced species originated. Hunting wild boar has a rich history seeded by Florida’s earliest European settlers. It has not only become an American pastime but is an important control method for limiting this invasive species impact on our native fauna and flora.
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Although technically the term “feral” originally referred to free-ranging decedents of domesticated stock, all wild swine in Florida are considered feral whether descendants of wild boar or domesticated stock. Likewise, all wild swine in Florida are considered the same species, Sus scrofa. These wild boars share common characteristics that are notable. They have four self-sharpening tusks that are continually growing, two in the upper jaw and two in the lower jaw. Males have larger tusks than females, and thus greater trophy value for hunters. Males also have an upper mantle shoulder hide that can be as thick as ¾” that protects them in fights. Boar have an excellent sense of smell with which they find areas to dig up the soil in search of roots, insects or mast such as acorns or nuts. They have good hearing, but relatively poor vision and rely on a variety of vocalizations to communicate to the rest of the group, ironically called a sounder. For example, the first hog to see a threat will sound a warning call causing a flight response in the entire sounder of swine. A more destructive form of communication is a boars “tusking” behavior in which they rub their scent on trees along frequently used paths, territory, or wallows and sometimes damage the tree in the process. Wallows are a critical environmental resource for boar. Although they have both aprocrine (hair) and eccrine (skin) sweat glands, these glands are not used for cooling. Human beings are the only mammals that rely on sweat as a cooling mechanism. Boar, like other hairless mammals such as elephants, rhino, etc., must wallow in water or mud to cool.
CAN URBAN AGRICULTURE SOW SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION, RESILIENT COMMUNITIES? SCIENTISTS OFFER A POTENTIAL ROADMAP By Lourdes Mederos
Urban agriculture is growing food on a small-scale, using venues such as small rooftops, balcony gardens, community grounds, small urban farms and even empty lots of land. Can small farming flourish in the heart of a city and suburban neighborhoods? Are there best practices in urban agriculture, and can they be adopted in an accelerated fashion to ultimately promote resilient and self-sustaining communities? If so, are there benefits to building such a system that can accelerate local food production without burdening the environment? These are the questions a team of scientists, led by experts at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), tackled when they embarked on a threeyear study. That study resulted in a theoretical framework that can guide urban agricultural systems. Within its framework, scientists also considered potential pathways associated with increasing the adoption of urban agriculture across regions and communities — also known as upscaling. “Current understanding of urban agriculture is still in its infancy,” said Jiangxiao Qiu, an associate professor of landscape ecology at the UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center (FLREC) and lead author of the paper. “Our scaling up urban agriculture framework provides a transdisciplinary policy and planning roadmap that can catalyze transformative change to achieve robust urban resilience and sustainability.” The study, “Scaling up urban agriculture as a transformative change to advance social-ecological resilience and sustainability,” is published in the journal Nature Food. Collaborating scientists first took a deep dive review of existing research to determine the complex implications of urban agriculture across individual, community and societal factors. “Within this framework, we developed a three-phased pathway for scaling up urban agriculture, illustrated with realworld examples, and discussed crucial factors that influence the upscaling processes,” he said.
Among the takeaways derived as benefits, urban agriculture could promote a positive influence on supplementing food supply, fostering water-quality improvements, potentially decreasing carbon footprints, promoting health benefits through consumption of fruits and vegetables and promoting ways to mitigate climate change. “These benefits could translate to positive social well-being outcomes such as food security and community development,” said Qiu. Among the potential risks revealed in the literature review were increased disease and pest incidents to crops, exposure to soil contamination and environmental pollution, from urban agriculture practices. “Economic status and factors may also affect the profitability of urban agriculture and lead to disproportionate distribution of food,” explained Qiu. The researchers further propose a multiphase pathway to illustrate potential implementation of urban agriculture upscaling through a variety of processes and influential actions. For phase one, scientists suggest expanding interest in food production by empowering individuals while enhancing the capacity of communities to get involved. “It may begin with individual initiatives stemming from grassroots movements and practices such as individuals initiating and participating in urban vegetable and community gardens to meet household food needs, reduce food expenses and improve livelihoods,” said Qiu. “A momentum toward establishing adoption may take place when there is access to land, technology, resources, knowledge and training.” Phase two might require engagement from stakeholders, along with community support from policymakers across various levels of government to boost adoption.
Lourdes Mederos
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Lourdes Mederos is a public relations manager at UF/IFAS Communications. She is blessed to work at UF/IFAS while living in South Florida with her family. Lourdes’ passion is to bring awareness of innovative work, research breakthroughs, and science-based solutions to all of Florida.
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“By providing access, ease of use and guidance with landuse planning and urban policies and regulations, financial incentives and subsidies, expansion might be encouraged,” explained Qiu. Finally, phase three of the framework is based on improving the economic viability of urban agriculture by providing tools and incentives toward its full-scale development. Examples include access to marketing and promotion tools, encouraging diversified revenue streams, value-added products and adoptions of agribusiness management and technology.
gaining traction with budding examples in countries globally,” said Qiu. “Future research is needed to test and operationalize this framework and pathways to scale up urban agriculture and forge more socially just and environmentally sustainable urban systems.” Collaborators on this study include other University of Florida scientists, along with representatives from University of Central Florida, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, State University of New York, University of Michigan, Arizona State University.
“Scaling up urban agriculture can be a critical window of opportunity for advancing global sustainability and has been
Dr. Jiangxiao Qiu at the Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center.
This sample shows how a raised bed food production can yield a variety of crops. Courtesy UF IFAS Photography.
ITFM “ Everything Ag” Podcast! @InTheFieldMagazine Find it on www.inthefieldmagazine.com or listen Spotify | Google | Apple | Amazon
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Constitutional Amendment Proposed to Support Florida Agriculture by Eliminating Multiple Taxation of Agricultural Production
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, Senator Jay Collins, and Representative Danny Alvarez announced the filing of a joint resolution, HJR 1251 and SJR 1560, to amend the Florida Constitution to eliminate multiple taxation of agricultural production by annual local property taxes. The proposed constitutional amendment creates a total tax exemption of tangible personal property – such as farm machinery, equipment, and implements – on property classified as agricultural. If adopted, the constitutional amendment will help alleviate the financial burden on Florida’s agriculture producers, help incentivize the growth of agricultural production in the state, and ease increasing food costs to consumers by lowering the cost of production. “Food security is a national security issue, and this proposed constitutional amendment represents a pivotal step towards securing the permanent future of agriculture in Florida," said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. "By eliminating the burdensome multiple taxation of agricultural production, we can pave the way for sustained growth and resilience within our agricultural sector, strengthen and secure our food supply chain, support our hardworking farmers, and safeguard our state and nation's well-being.” “As a retired Army Green Beret, I know the complexities of today’s hyper-competitive world and it is imperative we stabilize, revitalize, and grow agriculture to ensure Florida’s footprint on the world stage," said Senator Jay Collins. "I am proud to work alongside Commissioner Wilton Simpson and Representative Alvarez to provide meaningful support to Florida’s farmers, ranchers, and growers.”
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"The tax we are eliminating is flat-out wrong," said Representative Danny Alvarez. “Florida agriculture is the backbone of our state’s culture and economy, and in light of unprecedent-
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ed attacks against our proud farmers, ranchers, and growers, we must do all that we can to defend agriculture and its future in Florida. This proposed constitutional amendment will support this vital industry and send a clear signal that Florida will stand with our farmers.” The proposal is being filed as a joint resolution in both the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate and requires support by three-fifths of the membership of each chamber. If adopted by 60 percent of the electors voting on the measure in the 2024 general election, the amendment will go into effect. Currently, Article VII, Section 3(e)(1) provides an exemption from ad valorem taxation of up to $25,000 on all property subject to tangible personal property taxes. Tangible personal property is defined as all goods, property other than real estate, and other articles of value that the owner can physically possess and have intrinsic value. Examples of what is included when filing a tangible personal property tax return include: Goods, chattels, and other articles of value, except certain vehicles Inventory held for lease Equipment on some vehicles Personally owned property used in the business Fully depreciated items Florida agriculture – and its over 47,000 farms and ranches – produces more than 300 commodities, contributes more than $180 billion to the state’s economy, and helps employ more than 2.5 million people. For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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FRIENDS ALL AROUND
As the mother of three teenage boys and the wife of a retired submariner, Melissa Karnowski’s journey has evolved from being a second and third-grade teacher to embracing the roles of motherhood and community engagement. “My life, like so many moms, has been a roller coaster of emotional and spiritual highs and lows,” Karnowski said. “Our autistic son and his two brothers are loved more than words, especially since words may not do justice for the moments of crazy! Being focused now on Mini Friends Farm is exactly the mental health journey I needed to bring calm to our family and pay it forward to all those moms on similar roller coasters.” Mini Friends Farm in Valrico is owned by the animalloving couple Tom and Melissa Karnowski. Tom grew up in San Diego, became a Navy Submariner, and recently retired from the Navy. When retirement happened Melissa, who was raised in Oklahoma, found her chance to finally call a place home and settle. At the same time, they had a diagnosis of Autism for their oldest son, Brandon. Brandon reached outside his comfort zone by showing pigs. With their two other boys, Dylan and Jackson, they grabbed a great piece of property and were able to make their dream a reality and bring animals that they had longed for to fruition. Mini Friends Farm was born. “With the help of all three boys, the animals that have been rescued to the farm are well loved,” Karnowski said. “Tom and Jackson love the alpacas. Brandon’s favorite is the pony, Dolly Parton, Dylan has become the barn cat fanatic. Melissa loves her mini donkeys. Once you meet them you will realize donkeys have been given a bad rap. Take it from them; there is nothing more rewarding than being able to snuggle up to an alpaca, mini donkey or pony every day!”
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The mission of Mini Friends Farm is to provide children, including special needs children, with the opportunity to experience the joy of caring for rescued mini animals, while developing their social and emotional skills. They strive to create a safe and nurturing environment where children can learn to care for animals, build relationships, and develop a sense of responsibility.
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By Libby Hopkins
They believe that through this experience, children can gain a greater understanding of themselves and the world around them. “Our goal is to equip all children with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to overcome their challenges, to foster a positive relationship between the children and animals, and to promote a life-long appreciation of the natural world,” Karnowski said. “Alongside two other board members with extensive experience in teaching and working with children, we formed a cohesive team. Together, we channel our passion into our mission, ensuring that our shared commitment to making a positive impact resonates throughout our work. This realization, combined with our team’s passion, evolved into the understanding that our animals possess therapeutic qualities beneficial not only for individuals with special needs but for everyone seeking comfort and connection. After all, who wouldn’t benefit from a cuddle with an alpaca or mini donkey?” Mini Friends Farm is a non-profit that primarily centers around homeschool events, special needs field trips, and with future plans, expanding into mental health events. “While we don’t conduct extensive tours, we do host one or two ‘Open Farm Day’ events during the cooler months,” Karnowski said. “These events allow the public to purchase low-cost tickets and spend time meeting our wonderful animals. We’ve also successfully introduced unique experiences like ‘Yoga with the Donkeys,’ which proved to be a hit and sold out.” The proceeds from the farm’s events play a crucial role in supporting their mission. “Specifically, they contribute to scholarships that enable special needs kids and families to participate in our programs, fostering an environment of learning and connection,” Karnowski said. “It’s immensely rewarding to see our initiatives making a positive impact on the community and providing valuable opportunities for those in need.” Keeping things local is also important to Karnowski and her family. “Focusing on local impact within our community is where I believe meaningful change can happen,” Karnowski said. “While the scope of changing the broader educational or political landscape might be beyond reach, it’s crucial for me and my board memWWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
bers to make a tangible difference right here at home. Demonstrating love, kindness and compassion to those facing challenges in our community is, in my view, fulfilling the purpose that I believe God has set for me.” If you’d like to learn more about Mini Friends Farm, you can visit their website at www.myminifriends.org or you can check out their Facebook page at www.facebook. com/myminifriendsfarm.
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FROM THE SCIENTIFIC FIELD
By Brad Buck
Full steam ahead: Warm vapor and a low-dose herbicide control harmful citrus weed
Weeds have the potential to reduce Florida’s citrus crop by up to 30% annually. They compete with citrus trees for resources like water, light, and nutrients, which can significantly reduce yield and fruit quality.
For the experiment, scientists aimed to weaken goat weed with steam and enhance the impact by applying a contact herbicide like paraquat—what Kanissery called a “double whammy” approach.
Goat weed, a native perennial, is found throughout the Southeast, from Texas east to South Carolina and south to Florida. It poses major challenges for citrus.
“This approach can control weeds in citrus orchards. It reduces the chemical footprint on soil and groundwater, provides effective weed control and reduces the probability of developing resistance in goat weed against high dosages of paraquat use in the future,” he said.
“It produces many seeds and is relatively tolerant to many of the herbicides utilized in citrus production,” said Ramdas Kanissery, the lead University of Florida researcher on a new study that shows farmers a two-pronged approach to control goat weed. The study found that using steam and a low dose of herbicide helped control goat weed better than a higher dose. Normally, growers use herbicides to keep the weed under control. Some are more effective than others, depending on the timing of their use. Further, scientists are looking for herbicide alternatives to help preserve the environment. “To put things into perspective, it takes three to four times the usual herbicide dose to control goat weed in citrus groves compared to other weeds,” Kanissery said. “Our previous research has shown that steam application can weaken even tough weeds.” The intense heat from steam makes the water inside the cells of weeds turn into vapor fast. This rapid change builds up pressure, causing the cells to burst and disrupt their normal functions. This weakens the weed, making it more susceptible to further damage, he said.
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Kanissery, a UF/IFAS assistant professor of horticultural sciences at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center teamed up with Yiannis Ampatzidis, a UF/IFAS associate professor of precision agriculture engineering, to build a machine at the facility and sprayed steam, followed by paraquat, on goat weeds growing in citrus tree rows. The results were encouraging.
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With every generation,
we get better at protecting our environment. Reclamation ecologists like Ashlee work to return mined lands to productive use as wildlife habitats, public parks and more—so future generations can enjoy these lands for years to come.
®
Sign up
for a FREE On-Farm Readiness Review The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) inspections have begun. Sign up now to request a free On-Farm Readiness Review (OFRR), offered in partnership by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and University of Florida IFAS. The OFRR is an educational opportunity to help individual farms align practices with the PSR regulatory requirements in preparation for inspections.
For more information on FSMA and to sign up for an OFRR, visit FDACS.gov/FSMA or call (863) 578-1900. To take full advantage of the OFRR and for PSR compliance, one farm representative should first attend a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training. Upcoming trainings can be found at: crec.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/events This publication is supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award U2FFD007446 totaling $1,166,732 with 100 percent funded by FDA/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by FDA/ HHS, or the U.S. Government.
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Business Up Front Sleepy Dragon Greens Grows Microgreens Business
By Michelle Caceres
THE COMPANY DELIVERS FRESH, NUTRITION-PACKED MICROGREENS TO YOUR DOORSTEP.
Last August, Chris Shaw opened Sleepy Dragon Greens, offering quick home delivery (within 24 hours of harvesting) of locally-grown microgreens to health-conscious Seffner-area residents.
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His business is “growing.” Mcrogreens, under three inches tall (smaller than baby greens but larger than sprouts), are young seedlings of edible vegetables and herbs that are usually harvested between one and three weeks after planting, just after the cotyledon leaves have developed. While they have become increasingly popular in the culinary world as a garnish adorning plates at fancy upscale restaurants, they pack a nutritious punch. According to a study published in the “Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry,” microgreens generally have higher nutrient levels than their mature counterparts. The study found they can contain up to 40 times more nutrients by weight compared to the fully-grown plant. The study also found them to be a rich source of antioxidants, which help neutralize free radicals in the body, which may contribute to a lower risk of chronic diseases. They’re also rich in vitamins and minerals.
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For Shaw, microgreens, with their fast growth and the small space needed for cultivating, were the perfect choice to reach his dream of owning a farm with organic and environmentally friendly practices. “People want to know where their food comes from and to know there’s not a lot of things pumped into it,” he said. “The microgreens are nutrient-packed and a healthier option than what you can find in stores.” Shaw’s own health history inspired a passion for clean eating. After taking horticulture classes at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, he honed his agricultural knowledge and opened Sleepy Dragon Greens. Right now, he grows four varieties of microgreens: broccoli, sunflower, pea and radish. The greens can be added to salads and sandwiches or blended into pesto or smoothies. His personal favorites are pea and his “crunchy mix,” a combination of a couple of his most popular microgreens. “It has a slightly sweet taste but is still crunchy,’ he said. “Microgreens are really the best utility vegetable in my fridge.” WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
The business has quickly gained a loyal customer base. Customer Rob Pratt, who’s been on the company’s subscription service for three months, has made microgreens a part of his daily health regimen. A vegan and exercise enthusiast, he adds the greens to his morning smoothie. “I’ve tried them all and pea and sunflower go great in smoothies with pea protein, a little almond or cashew milk, chia seeds and spinach,” he said. “They’re always delivered on time, are very fresh, and taste great.” With everyone making New Year resolutions, Shaw said Sleepy Dragon Greens can help local residents reach their health goals. “Sign up for a weekly subscription for five sets of crunchy mix, grill up five chicken breasts on Sunday, package them in the fridge and you have five lunches ready to go,’ he said. Shaw envisions a future where Sleepy Dragon Greens expands to include other products, including farm-fresh eggs and other fruits and vegetables. He also hopes to sell harvest kits in the future and hold classes so residents can learn to make their own microgreens. “Getting started with microgreens is just an entry point that allowed us to get our foot in the ground and make a name for ourselves,” said Shaw. “When we’re ready to expand, we’ll have that jumping-off point so we can continue to grow.” For more information about Sleepy Dragon Greens or to learn more about ordering visit sleepydragongreens.com or call (813) 797-6177.
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s e p i c e R
Courtesy of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Chef Justin Timineri
Florida Shrimp Boil with Sweet Corn and New Potatoes
DIRECTIONS
q Ingredients q
Preheat a large pot over medium-high heat. Fill with water until about 2/3 full and add 3/4 cup seafood seasoning. Add sausage and potatoes, bring to a slight boil and cook for 8-10 minutes. Next add corn and simmer for 5 minutes. Lastly add shrimp and simmer for 3-4 minutes, or until cooked through. Drain the liquid and pour shrimp boil onto a large platter. Lightly season with the remaining seafood seasoning and drizzle with olive oil. Garnish the shrimp boil platter with the diced tomato and parsley. Serve with lemon wedges, melted butter and hot sauce, if desired.
1 ½ pounds large Florida shrimp (peeled and deveined, if desired) 5 ears Florida sweet corn, husked and cut in half 1 large Florida tomato, diced small 1 pound Florida potatoes (peeled, if desired) 1 pound cooked smoked sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 cup seafood boil seasoning mix 3 lemons, cut into wedges 1/4 cup olive oil 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped fine Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
Florida Strawberry Smoothie q Ingredients q 2 cups fresh Florida strawberries 1 cup low-fat milk
2 cups vanilla frozen low-fat yogurt 8 ice cubes
DIRECTIONS
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Wash and hull strawberries. Place strawberries in a blender with half of milk. Make sure lid is on tight. Blend on high speed until smooth. Add frozen yogurt, remaining milk and ice cubes and continue to blend until smooth and creamy. Serve immediately. Pour any leftovers into an ice cube tray and freeze for later use.
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